Q1. Why do Catholics bow to images in the church?
A: Catholics do not bow to images in order to worship them. In fact, it is condemned by God. Ex 20: 1-5 "Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,b out of the house of slavery.
You shall not have other gods beside me. You shall not make for yourself an idolc or a likeness of anything* in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or serve them.d For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation."
But in Numbers 21: 4-9, God asked Moses to make a bronze image of a snake to save the people of Isreal. "They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,[a] to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” 6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."

Now, would you say that God who instructed us not to make images in Genesis is the one instructing Moses in Numbers to make an image of a serpent? Can God contradict Himself? Absolutely not! God did not say images should not be made, but He is against worshiping such images. Therefore, it is imperative to note that God is not against the making of image but against the act of worshiping them. We all have images (pictures or sculptures) in our homes and offices hung on our walls or placed in the house but do we worship them? I doubt! We put them there for beautification, honour and remembrance. Example is the statue of Herbert Macaulay on the Island in Lagos. That statue is not made there for worship but for remembrance and honour and also, it beautifies the area.
Therefore, making of an image is not a sin in itself but worshiping them and acknowledging them the status of God is a sin for God is a jealous God.

Q2: Why does the Catholic Bible have 73 books, while the Protestant Bible has only 66 books?
The Catholic is the church that compiled the bible in about 367 AD when St. Athanasius came up with a list of 73 books for the Bible that he believed to be divinely inspired. This list was finally approved by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD, and was formally approved by the Church Council of Rome in that same year. Later Councils at Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD) ratified this list of 73 books. In 405 AD, Pope Innocent I wrote a letter to the Bishop of Toulouse reaffirming this canon of 73 books. In 419 AD, the Council of Carthage reaffirmed this list, which Pope Boniface agreed to. In 16th century, Martin Luther discarded with some books in the bible which he believed does not conform with his own view of theology. Initially, he disagreed with 7 books in the Old Testament which are Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, Sirach, First Maccabees, and Second Maccabees, as well as additional verses of Daniel and Esther. These books are called the “deuterocanon”, or second canon, by Catholics, and the “apocrypha”, or hidden/obscure, by Protestants (Christians who protest against the Catholic Church) and also, some books in the New Testament which include James, Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation. He actually said that he wanted to “throw Jimmy into the fire”, and that the book of James was “an epistle of straw.” What is strange is that Luther eventually accepted all 27 books of the New Testament that the Catholic Pope Damasus I had approved of in 382 AD, but didn’t accept his Old Testament list. Hence, the 66 books in the Protestant's bible and the foremost of them is King James version which was first compiled by Martin Luther with the help of King Henry VIII in year 1081. Martin Luther was excommunicated by the church for his rebellious act against the body of Christ and for re-inventing his own bible.
This topic is well explained in this thread https://www.nairaland.com/3782829/why-catholic-church-bible-different

Q3: Why do Priests wear different colours of vestments for different occasions
A: The priest wears 5 different colours of vestment during the celebration of Holy Mass depending on the occasion or feast. These vestments are:
Red Vestment: This is worn to celebrate a saint who was killed or martyred.
White Vestment: This signifies purity. It is worn to celebrate Holy Mass during the feat of a saint who died natural death, for virgin Mary's day and also, to signify the holiness of Jesus Christ.
Purple Vestment: Purple signifies royalty and therefore, it is worn during advent (starting 4 weeks to Christmas) in preparation to coming of the King of kings- Jesus Christ.
Gold Vestment: This is worn during the celebration of the church e.g. Golden jubilee, anniversaries etc
Green Vestment: This is worn during ordinary time. Green signifies life.

Q4: Why do Catholics honour Mary?
A: Catholics honour Mary because of the position she occupies in the life of Christ, Christians and importantly, the special grace and favour bestowed upon her by God himself. Jn 19: 25-27 tells us how Jesus on the cross handed over Mary to the disciple He loved to be his mother. The disciple at that moment represented Christians whom Christ loves and handed over his mother to be our mother also. It is logical that the mother of your mentor is your mother also and so, you accord her same respect and honour your mentor will accord her as well. Gen 3:16, Rev 12: 1-7 and Is 7:10 show how God acknowledges the importance of Mary to mankind and thus bestow upon her the highest favour given to any man before or after her. Lk 1: 26-38; 40-42 tells us how angel Gabriel conveyed the mind of God to Mary revealing to her how much favour God has bestowed upon her thus saying to her "hail Mary, full of grace..." and also the greetings of her cousin Elizabeth, "Of all women, you are the most blessed." This greeting was not from Elizabeth herself but inspired by the Spirit of God which through the confirmation she got when the baby in her womb leapt for joy on sighting Mary. These greetings gladdens Mary heart (Lk 2:19). It should be noted that act of honour should not be mistaken for worship. Catholics do not worship Mary because she is NOT God and will never be. The church honours her in a similar way we honour our biological mothers (though in a special way because of the special grace she carries). In Ex 20:12, God asks us to honour our father and mother.

Q5: Does Mary have other Children?
Mary had no other children apart from Jesus. If Mary had other children, Jesus would not have asked the disciple to take Mary home and care for her if not, other children of hers would have been able to do that. Would it not be a slap on the faces of other children that an outsider would take their mother home to take care when they are still alive? Also, Lk 2:41-49 tells us how Jesus was forgotten in the temple by his parents and later found him in the temple preaching after searching for him for 3 days. "Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Jesus was 12 years old during this time, and if he had other siblings, would Joseph and Mary left them behind to go to Jerusalem only with Jesus since it is the custom to go with all members of the family? In Matt 12:46, it is written that Jesus's mother and brothers were waiting outside anxious to have a word with him. Does that mean Jesus had other siblings? The first recorded argument was between St. Jerome and another fourth-century theologian, Helvidius, who had written that after the virgin birth of Jesus, Mary had other children with her husband, Joseph. St. Jerome disagreed, indicating that by the fourth century at least some of the church community believed that Mary had stayed a virgin for the rest of her life. These children of Mary, Jerome said, were from Mary of Clopas, Jesus’ aunt and his mother’s sister, making them cousins. He claimed that the Greek word "adelphios" could refer to cousins, not just biological siblings. Same way in Yoruba language, "cousin" has no word instead "aburo" or "egbon" can be used for a biological sibling or relative. Also, if Jesus had sibling, they would have been present during his crucifixion with Mary. In John 19:25, where she is among the women present at the Crucifixion of Jesus: "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, Mary and His mother's sister, Mary [the wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." Note that Jesus' mother's sister is also called Mary in this passage but can two biological sisters called the same name within a nuclear family? That proves that Mary the wife of Clopas is not the biological sister of Mary mother of Jesus but a relative because in Greek from where English bible is translated from has no word for cousin or aunt or uncle but once they are related are called brothers or sisters.

Q6: Why do Catholics don't pray for the death of their enemy or curse them but rather, pray for their conversion?
A: In Matt 5: 43-45, Jesus instructs us to love our enemies and pray for those who hate us. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Act 7:55-60, 1Pt 3:8 and 1Cor 3:17 state this fact as well for there is rejoice among the angels of God when a sinner repents (Lk: 15:10)

Q7: Is drinking a sin?
A: Drinking is not a sin, rather getting drunk is a sin (Ep 5:18). Jesus turned water to wine (Jn 2: 1-12). 1Tim 3:8 "In the same way, deacons[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain." This shows that drinking of wine is not sin in itself but getting drunk by drinking much of it is sin. Jesus took wine when he was offered vinegar while on the cross (Matt 27: 48). If drinking was a sin, He wouldn't have accepted it. Vinegar wine contains 5-20% acetic acid; 5-8% alcohol. Wine is taken in heaven as well (Matt 26: 26-29).

Why do Catholics pray to Mary and other dead saints ...also why do Catholics pray to God through Mary and through dead saints...........many protestants including me find it difficult to understand this aspect of the life of Catholics

doyinbaby:
Why do Catholics pray to Mary and other dead saints ...also why do Catholics pray to God through Mary and through dead saints...........many protestants including me find it difficult to understand this aspect of the life of Catholics

Catholics do not pray to dead people but ask for the intercession of saints. There is nothing wrong to ask for the intercession of the saints. Abraham interceded for Sodom (Gen 18: 16-33). We see in the Old Testament, various figures are asked to intercede for those in spiritual and temporal need: Abraham, Moses, Job, Jeremiah. It seems to have been thought especially appropriate to those men of prayer, the prophets (Gen 18:24, Jb 42:8, Jr 42:2, 2Mc 12:38-45). After the last super, Jesus interceded for his followers (Jn 17).
It should be noted that the church does not regard a saint who is dead to the flesh (physical death) as been dead rather, he is asleep but lives in the presence of God. When a righteous died, he rises and becomes like the angels in heaven. Jesus tells us in Mk 12: 24-26 that God is God not of the dead but of the living. In Ex 3:1-6 When God appeared in the burning bush to Moses, he introduced Himself as God of Abraham, God of Issac and God of Jacob. These people were known to be dead (physical death) when he appeared to Moses, yet God still associates Himself with them meaning that, these saints are living. Therefore, when Catholics call on saints for intercession is because these saints are living and in the presence of God. Just like we meet our priests or pastors for their intercession because of our believe that they are saints who live holy lives (only God knows the heart of man), same way Catholics ask for the intercession of saints who live in the presence of God (for these ones you are very sure they are clean and free from sin because they are in heaven already. Nothing unclean will enter heaven Rev 21:27)

Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures.. Abraham a living person as at then interceded for Lot, also a living person, by the way, what do you understand as Saints?

kabasa77:
Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures...

Yeah. Aside his lame attempts aimed at justifying their rank idolatry and sheer butchering of the truths, the question is: Did Abraham pray to Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed to angel Michael for intercession? And yes... he doesn't even know who a saint is.

Such a needless show of ignorance. SMH

kabasa77:
Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures.. Abraham a living person as at then interceded for Lot, also a living person, by the way, what do you understand as Saints?

What is it there that you don't understand? Saints are not dead people either they lived 1000yrs ago on earth or presently living on earth. Saint is not the opposite of sinner but meaning someone set apart. Saints are not made in heaven but on earth through heavenly grace. Either you call for the intercession of saint who is still on earth or one who has fallen asleep, one thing is common to them, they are alive in Christ. Saints are not dead people. Only the unsaved are dead when they die here on earth

Splinz:


Yeah. Aside his lame attempts aimed at justifying their rank idolatry and sheer butchering of the truths, the question is: Did Abraham pray to Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed to angel Michael for intercession? And yes... he doesn't even know who a saint is.

Such a needless show of ignorance. SMH

One thing about most of you Protestants is that you result to insult when you don't have a superior augment.

Hmmm....

LogicStatement:

One thing about most of you Protestants is that you result to insult when you don't have a superior augment.

Who is a protestant? Where is the insult and the superior argument?

Seems you're a starter in this forum. I'd advice you to go for more studies. At least learn better ways of twisting Scriptures to somehow support your idolatry.

Your outing here is nothing but a disaster. Such wicked butchering of the truths!

Splinz:


Yeah. Aside his lame attempts aimed at justifying their rank idolatry and sheer butchering of the truths, the question is: Did Abraham pray to Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed to angel Michael for intercession? And yes... he doesn't even know who a saint is.

Such a needless show of ignorance. SMH

This is the problem we have in christendom. The catholic brother has elucidated on a vital point unknown to many, if there is something you don't understand simply ask him. But you are resorting to insult just to castigate his views which even has biblical backings.
I encourage us to listen to understand and not listen to castigate. God bless you.

[quote author=Splinz post=56281935]

Who is a protestant? Where is the insult and the superior argument?

Seems you're a starter in this forum. I'd advice you to go for more studies. At least learn better ways of twisting Scriptures to somehow support your idolatry.

Your outing here is nothing but a disaster. Such wicked butchering of the truths![/quote

May God help the Christians of this age

effico:

But you are resorting to insult just to castigate his views which even has biblical backings.

I see. All these talk of insults is nothing but an emotional blackmail. Sorry, it doesn't work on me.

Op has no biblical backing for his rank idolatry, but the same old terrible twisting of scriptures to say what they want it to say. I asked a question which you may as well help him answer: Did Abraham asked Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed for an intercession from one of His angels?

Op's submission in his bid to justify the worship (all that talk of "honoring" is a grand deception!) of Mary is simply humorous.

Good one brother for this great insight.

@splinz....Bros no need for all these. Op made his point, so you can seek for clarification or counter his claim point by point.

The truth is nothing said here will change your view about catholic church and nothing you say will change catholic view about penticoastal.

Splinz:


I see. All these talk of insults is nothing but an emotional blackmail. Sorry, it doesn't work with me.

Op has no biblical backing for his rank idolatry, but the same old terrible twisting of scriptures to say what they want it to say. I asked a question which you may as well help him answer: Did Abraham asked Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed for an intercession from one of His angels?

Op's submission in his bid to justify the worship (all that talk of "honoring" is a grand deception!) of Mary is simply humorous.

Idolatry...what about the images of pastor and pastor Mrs all over the churches now.? Are they not images. I see TB Joshua, oyedepo etc images on cars, churches etc. Chosen wear their pastor and redeem have bands etc.

jamp:


Idolatry...what about the images of pastor and pastor Mrs all over the churches now.? Are they not images. I see TB Joshua, oyedepo etc images on cars, churches etc. Chosen wear their pastor and redeem have bands etc.

Thank you very much for this. It seems they do not understand what an image is. They castigate Catholics for having images yet, they have images of their General Overseers and pastors in their homes, offices, cars etc. Some of them have these images worn as apron, cloths & as wristbands believing that wearing them will secure their lives & bring blessings to them. I see videos of their testimonies on YouTube about this, so it's not something I cook up but fact.
Jesus saw this division in the faith and He prayed for the church when He said in Jn 17:21 "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."

jamp:


Idolatry...what about the images of pastor and pastor Mrs all over the churches now.? Are they not images. I see TB Joshua, oyedepo etc images on cars, churches etc. Chosen wear their pastor and redeem have bands etc.

I don't know any of these churches. So, I don't speak for them.

Now, all these talks of “what about this... what about that person” is stale already. Are these people your own standard? While there's absolutely nothing wrong in having a friend's picture in either your house, car, office, etc, the moment that image becomes an abomination is when you put it before you, kneel/bow and pray to it. That is outright idolatry! So, in which of these churches you've mentioned is the worship/veneration of images sanctioned, as it is done in your Catholic church?

Tell me, that I may also call them out for their idolatry.

PS: Philippians 4:6 states: “...but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”, not unto “Mary” or the “saints.” You don't need an intercessor to get your prayers to God, pray to Him in the name of Jesus as the mediator and you'll be heard! Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Deborah and other faithful servants of God never ask any saint or angel for intercession, but all made their requests and supplications directly to God, who is the hearer of prayers! (Psalm 65:2).

jamp:
....Bros no need for all these. Op made his point, so you can seek for clarification or counter his claim point by point.

It is too small a thing to counter, I've done it for uncountable times. Thing is: he has no point! He can't even answer the simple question I asked him about the intercession he claimed were made by Abraham and Jesus. Can you help him by telling me which of the saints that these intercessions were made to?

jamp:

The truth is nothing said here will change your view about catholic church and nothing you say will change catholic view about penticoastal.

I'm not here to change any view. Don't forget this is a public forum.

Splinz:


It is too small a thing to counter, I've done it for uncountable times. Thing is: he has no point! He can't even answer the simple question I asked him about the intercession he claimed were made by Abraham and Jesus. Can you help him by telling me which of the saints that these intercessions were made to?


I'm not here to change any view. Don't forget this is a public forum.

you have come to criticise and yet to didn't bother to understand before criticising.


Intercessions aren't made to saints, even a j.j.c should know that. Intercession is a prayer made to God on another's behalf. Members of christ body make intercession for one another just as Abraham made Intercession for sodom, and moses made for the isrealites even the apostle Paul asks for Intercession. These are rudiments of prayer and I an surprised that I am repeating them to someone who claims to be Christian.

Every member of christ body is a priest and so capable of interceeding for others. We are each capable of bee intercessors and this ability does not disappear when we die. In fact a Christian never dies according to christ. These are also rudimentary teachings you should know already.

All the op does and has been done both in judaism and in the church for over 2000yrs is he asks his fellow Christians to make intercession for him.

Ubenedictus:
you have come to criticise and yet to didn't bother to understand before criticising.


Intercessions aren't made to saints, even a j.j.c should know that. Intercession is a prayer made to God on another's behalf. Members of christ body make intercession for one another just as Abraham made Intercession for sodom, and moses made for the isrealites even the apostle Paul asks for Intercession. These are rudiments of prayer and I an surprised that I am repeating them to someone who claims to be Christian.

Every member of christ body is a priest and so capable of interceeding for others. We are each capable of bee intercessors and this ability does not disappear when we die. In fact a Christian never dies according to christ. These are also rudimentary teachings you should know already.

All the op does and has been done both in judaism and in the church for over 2000yrs is he asks his fellow Christians to make intercession for him.

These are explanations you give to your fellow Catholic, not someone like me. Being smart by half wouldn't work here.

“Intercessions aren't made to saints”, so what do you do when you kneel before the statue of 'a' Mary and pray to the idol? The question is: Which of the faithful servants throughout the ages has ever prayed to a departed faithful for his/her intercession?

You may as well help in answering this one question: Which of the saints did Abraham or Jesus prayed to for their intercessions?

kabasa77:
Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures.. Abraham a living person as at then interceded for Lot, also a living person, by the way, what do you understand as Saints?

where it is written that one loses his intercessory ability At death? Even the Jews ask their rightous dead for Intercession so where did the new Age protestant churches get the heresy that the biblical God prohibits asking for intercessions? Where did you guys get this from?

A saint is simply one set apart. In the Christian sense, he is one redeemed by the bloo

kabasa77:
Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures.. Abraham a living person as at then interceded for Lot, also a living person, by the way, what do you understand as Saints?

where it is written that one loses his intercessory ability At death? Even the Jews ask their rightous dead for Intercession so where did the new Age protestant churches get the heresy that the biblical God prohibits asking for intercessions? Where did you guys get this from?

A saint is simply one set apart. In the Christian sense, he is one redeemed by the blood of christ, justified by his death and sanctified by the spirit. In the context of the discussion a saint is precisely one who has been glorified by God after his life on earth.

Splinz:


I don't know any of these churches. So, I don't speak for them.

Now, all these talks of “what about this... what about that person” is stale already. Are these people your own standard? While there's absolutely nothing wrong in having a friend's picture in either your house, car, office, etc, the moment that image becomes an abomination is when you put it before you, kneel/bow and pray to it. That is outright idolatry! So, in which of these churches you've mentioned is the worship/veneration of images sanctioned, as it is done in your Catholic church?

Tell me, that I may also call them out for their idolatry.

PS: Philippians 4:6 states: “...but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”, not unto “Mary” or the “saints.” You don't need an intercessor to get your prayers to God, pray to Him in the name of Jesus as the mediator and you'll be heard! Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Deborah and other faithful servants of God never ask any saint or angel for intercession, but all made their requests and supplications directly to God, who is the hearer of prayers! (Psalm 65:2).

do you know anyone who makes intercessions to Mary and the Saints? All I have found are people who ask that Mary and the Saints interceeding on their behalf.

doyinbaby:
Why do Catholics pray to Mary and other dead saints ...also why do Catholics pray to God through Mary and through dead saints...........many protestants including me find it difficult to understand this aspect of the life of Catholics

d same reason Jews pray to their dead Saints. Because no one in God dies, he is transformed not dead. Only protestantism which only began recently that deny this truth. Now I see why the Bible clearly says that in the later time many will deviate from the truth. We see this in protestantism today.

kabasa77:
Lol.. You are just twisting the scriptures.. Abraham a living person as at then interceded for Lot, also a living person, by the way, what do you understand as Saints?

where is it written t the dead lose their ability to interceed?

Ubenedictus:
do you know anyone who makes intercessions to Mary and the Saints? All I have found are people who ask that Mary and the Saints interceeding on their behalf.

Which of the departed faithfuls did Mary pray for their intercession while she was alive?

Splinz:


Who is a protestant? Where is the insult and the superior argument?

Seems you're a starter in this forum. I'd advice you to go for more studies. At least learn better ways of twisting Scriptures to somehow support your idolatry.

Your outing here is nothing but a disaster. Such wicked butchering of the truths!

And yet you have not even tried to refute him. Sorry dear you are just making noise.

Ubenedictus:
where is it written t the dead lose their ability to interceed?

And where is it written that the dead can intercede for the living?

Ubenedictus:
And yet you have not even tried to refute him. Sorry dear you are just making noise.

I don't need to refute anything. His butchering of the truths is conspicuous to discerning minds except maybe you.

Splinz:


I see. All these talk of insults is nothing but an emotional blackmail. Sorry, it doesn't work on me.

Op has no biblical backing for his rank idolatry, but the same old terrible twisting of scriptures to say what they want it to say. I asked a question which you may as well help him answer: Did Abraham asked Noah to intercede or was it Jesus that prayed for an intercession from one of His angels?

Op's submission in his bid to justify the worship (all that talk of "honoring" is a grand deception!) of Mary is simply humorous.

your request for more scripture after you have failed to address the ones presented to you simply show y aren't ready to engage in a serious discussion.

Splinz:


These are explanations you give to your fellow Catholic, not someone like me. Being smart by half wouldn't work here.

“Intercessions aren't made to saints”, so what do you do when you kneel before the statue of 'a' Mary and pray to the idol? The question is: Which of the faithful servants throughout the ages has ever prayed to a departed faithful for his/her intercession?

You may as well help in answering this one question: Which of the saints did Abraham or Jesus prayed to for their intercessions?

I have never seen a Catholic with an idol. When you are ready to discuss without these insulting insinuations let me know.